Myrna J Helgeson

Myrna J. Helgeson passed away of a long illness on Aug. 23, 2015, at home in Walla Walla. She was 81.

She was born in Winlock, Wash., on Sept. 18, 1934, to Hilda and Eddie Sullivan. She moved to Seattle in 1943, and attended Madison Junior High School and West Seattle High School, graduating in 1952. Myrna married Wayne Helgeson on July 31, 1959. They moved to Walla Walla in 1970, where Wayne began his long career at the Washington State Penitentiary.

She held various part-time jobs in the Walla Walla Valley while working full time as a mother, wife and homemaker. All who knew her will remember her for her remarkable kindness. She would stop and offer a stranger a ride home from the bus stop on a snowy day or someone from the neighborhood a ride home from the store. She was funny, loving, forgiving and caring. Myrna loved her family fiercely and unconditionally.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Helgeson; her sisters, Shirley White and Pearl Holmberg. She is survived by her daughter, Hildy Helgeson of Walla Walla; two grandchildren, Nash and Lilly Jaramillo of Bellingham, Wash.; a sister, Carol McMurtrey; two nieces, Sherry Salls and Christy McMurtrey and a nephew, Michael McMurtrey, all residing in California. She also leaves behind several wonderful nieces and nephews in Walla Walla, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

She loved, she was loved, and she will be missed always. At her request, no services will be held.